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Timely Curative Treatment and Overall Mortality Among Veterans with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Timely Curative Treatment and Overall Mortality Among Veterans with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Rolando Sanchez, Mary S. Vaughan Sarrazin and Richard M. Hoffman
JTO clinical and research reports, Vol.4(2), 100455
02/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100455
PMCID: PMC9995692
PMID: 36908685
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100455View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Introduction Early stage lung cancer (LC) outcomes depend on the receipt of timely therapy. We aimed to determine the proportions of Veterans with stage I NSCLC in the age group eligible for LC screening (LCS) receiving timely curative treatment (≤12 wk after diagnosis), the factors associated with timely treatment and modality, and the factors associated with overall mortality. Methods Retrospective cohort study in Veterans aged 55 to 80 years when diagnosed with stage I NSCLC during 2011 to 2015. We used multivariate logistic regression models to determine factors associated with receiving timely therapy and receiving surgery versus stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to determine factors associated with overall mortality. Results We identified 4796 Veterans with stage I NSCLC; the cohort was predominantly older, White males, current or former smokers, and living in urban areas. Overall, 84% underwent surgery and 16% underwent SBRT. The median time to treatment was 63 days (61 d for surgery; 71 d for SBRT), with 30% treated more than 12 weeks. Unmarried Veterans with higher social deprivation index were less likely to receive timely therapy. Black race, female sex, and never smoking were associated with lower overall mortality. Older Veterans receiving treatment >12 wk, with higher comorbidity index, and squamous cell carcinoma had higher overall mortality. Conclusions A total of 30% of the Veterans with stage I NSCLC in the age group eligible for LCS received curative treatment more than 12 weeks after diagnosis, which was associated with higher overall mortality. Delays in LC treatment could decrease the mortality benefits of LCS among the Veterans

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